The BNEF
Summit provides the ideas,
insights and connections to formulate successful strategies, capitalize
on technological change and shape a cleaner, more competitive future.
Tuesday, 16 April 2024
07:45
Registration and Networking Breakfast
Connect, network, and do business with fellow industry executives at the
BNEF Hub and in the networking area. You can
schedule 1-1 meetings via the BNEF Summit App.
09:00
Welcome Address by Bloomberg LP’s Founder
- Michael Bloomberg, Founder, Bloomberg LP and Bloomberg Philanthropies,
UN Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions
09:05
BNEF Talk: The Energy Transition: Think Fast
and Slow
- Jon Moore, Chief Executive Officer, BloombergNEF
09:20
Welcome
- Dana Perkins, Host, Bloomberg Switched On Podcast, Summit Anchor,
BloombergNEF
09:30
Policy Dialogue | Positioning America to Thrive in a Carbon Free 21st
Century
The Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law have
created a unique window of opportunity for the US to align industry and
society in pursuit of a low-carbon economy. In this one-on-one with DoE
Under Secretary for Infrastructure David Crane, we will discuss the
choices policymakers face to ensure that public money unlocked by this
legislation is spent in a way that is efficient, just and has a lasting
impact on America’s energy transition.
Under Secretary Crane will also share some findings from the Innovative
Grid Deployment: Pathways to Commercial Liftoff report which has just
been launched.
- David Crane, Under Secretary of Energy for Infrastructure, United
States Department of Energy
Moderator:
- Thomas Rowlands-Rees, Head of North America Research, BloombergNEF
09:50
BNEF Talk: US Climate Policy in an Uncertain
Political Landscape
During the Biden Presidency, the US government has made considerable
progress in implementing policies to get on track to net zero, with the
Inflation Reduction Act alone to bring over $370 billion in direct
support for clean technologies. Internationally, these policies are also
helping the US to cement its status as a leading manufacturer of
low-carbon energy products and to push for bolder action in the global
climate negotiations. However, with the federal election after 1.5 years
of the IRA, what are the implications of the
potential political shifts for the US climate transition? Where are the
risks and opportunities for companies and investors? And could a change
of administration in the US jeopardize the global energy transition?
- Victoria Cuming, Head of Policy, BloombergNEF
10:05
Supply Chain Subsidies Echo Far and Wide
The Inflation Reduction Act’s many incentives have got a host of
clean-tech manufacturers breaking ground in the US. A bulging pipeline
of battery, solar and electrolyzer factories has sprung out of the
ether. Manufacturers hail from across the world, bringing know-how and
finance from East Asia to Europe. Investors are watching closely as
multiple governments hammer out their own industrial strategies. What
draws foreign manufacturers to the US? How much of today’s factory
pipeline will get built? How is the IRA
contributing to onshoring outside the US?
Moderator:
- Antoine Vagneur-Jones, Head of Trade and Supply Chains, BloombergNEF
Panelists:
- Nigel Cockroft, U.S. General Manager, Jinko Solar
- Art Fletcher, Head of the Domestic Content & Illuminate Business Unit,
Invenergy
- Scott Moskowitz, Senior Director of Market Strategy and Industry
Relations, Qcells North America
- Rebecca Ward, Chief of Staff, Office of Manufacturing and Energy
Supply Chains, Department of Energy
10:45
Networking Coffee Break
Connect, network, and do business with fellow industry executives at the
BNEF Hub and in the networking area. You can
schedule 1-1 meetings via the BNEF Summit App.
11:15
Executive Dialogue | Utilities Are at the Heart of the Energy Transition
US utilities lie at the forefront of a decarbonizing power system,
striving to scale renewables and grids to meet their customers’ net-zero
ambitions, as well as state and federal targets. But the path to carbon
neutrality won’t be smooth. Siting and permitting challenges have
lengthened project timelines, while electricity demand – which has long
been flat or declining across the US – is suddenly on the rise,
propelled by data centers, manufacturing and electric vehicles. That’s
without mentioning the additional complication of more frequent and
severe natural disasters.
Join us in dialogue with leading US utility executives as we explore how
they are navigating changing consumption patterns, grid connection and
permitting backlogs and securing the capital needed to reach net zero.
Moderator:
- Meredith Annex, Head of Clean Power, BloombergNEF
Panelists:
- Justin Driscoll, President & Chief Executive Officer,
NYPA
- Kristina Lund, President, Pattern Energy
- Pedro Pizarro, President & Chief Executive Officer, Edison
International
11:50
Partner Spotlight: Google
- Amanda Peterson Corio, Global Head of Data Center Energy, Google
11:55
Policy Dialogue | Advancing US Domestic and International Policy
Opportunities Within the Energy Transition
- John Podesta, Senior Climate Advisor to the President of the United
States
Moderator:
- Annmarie Hordern, Co-anchor of Bloomberg Surveillance and Political
Correspondent, BloombergTV
12:20
Networking Lunch
Connect, network, and do business with fellow industry executives at the
BNEF Hub and in the networking area. You can
schedule 1-1 meetings via the BNEF Summit App.
12:20
Barclay Salon 1
Accessing & Scaling Energy Innovation
Themed Lunch Hosted by Chevron
What are the hurdles in identifying important energy innovations in need
of support? How can the potential to scale economically be assessed
early in development? What are the challenges to scaling energy
innovation, and how can industrial companies partner with the
early-stage ecosystem to scale affordable, reliable and ever-cleaner
energy solutions?
Lunch will be served in the Barclay Salon Pre-function area.
Moderator:
- Stephanie Diaz, Associate, Technology and Innovation, BloombergNEF
Panelist:
- Jim Gable, Vice President of Innovation & President of Technology
Ventures, Chevron
12:20
Barclay Salon 2
Building Demand for Advanced Clean Electricity Technologies
Themed lunch hosted by Google
Advanced clean electricity technologies like next-generation geothermal,
advanced nuclear, clean hydrogen, and long-duration energy storage
(LDES) are critical for grid decarbonization, but face a number of
barriers to commercial deployment. Join Google, Microsoft and Nucor to
learn about their new initiative to aggregate demand for these
technologies and accelerate their commercialization by the early 2030s.
Lunch will be served in the Barclay Salon Pre-function area.
Moderator:
- Kyle Harrison, Head of Sustainability Research, BloombergNEF
Panelists:
- Michelle Chang, Program Manager for Decarbonization Technologies,
Google
- Chad Eaton, Director of Government Affairs, Nucor Corporation
- Taylor Leyden, Senior Program Manager, Renewable Energy, Microsoft
12:20
Morgan
The Future of Renewable Energy Investment and Tax Credit Transfers
Themed Lunch Hosted by Schneider Electric
The US Inflation Reduction Act has mobilized well over $100 billion in
climate and energy-related investments since its passage a year and a
half ago. Central to the law’s efficacy is a clause allowing
organizations to transfer eligible federal tax credits for green energy
projects.
This session will spotlight Schneider Electric’s recent tax credit
transfer agreement with ENGIE North America.
Learn about this evolving partnership, tax credit transfer eligibility
requirements, and how these transfers can help public and private
entities accelerate renewable energy procurement, reduce Scope 2
emissions and capture favorable risk-adjusted returns on investment.
Lunch will be served in the room.
Moderator:
- Derrick Flakoll, Policy Associate, North America, BloombergNEF
Panelists:
- Sarah Kiriluk, Head of Acquisitions, Investment & Financial Advisory,
ENGIE North America
- John Powers, Vice President, Global Renewable Energy & Carbon
Advisory, Schneider Electric Sustainability Business
13:20
BNEF Talk: Scaling Investment in the Next Wave
of Climate Technologies: A How-To Guide
There are many exciting climate technologies waiting to scale. But
financing of them, particularly for hard-to-abate sectors, is proving
difficult. This talk will provide a framework to help identify
strategies to make first of a kind projects more bankable.
- Claire Curry, Head of Technology, Industry & Innovation, BloombergNEF
13:35
Partner Spotlight: Runergy
- Bing Yu, Global Marketing Director, Runergy
13:40
Policy Dialogue | Climate Action and the US Treasury
The US Department of the Treasury holds the keys to implementation of
major portions of the Inflation Reduction Act, in particular through its
work on tax credit guidance. The institution also plays an important
role in US efforts to drive global climate action through international
collaboration and partnership. This conversation with Climate Counselor
Ethan Zindler will focus on how to unblock and accelerate progress on
climate and energy transition, both domestically and internationally.
- Ethan Zindler, Climate Counselor, US Department of Treasury
Moderator:
- Albert Cheung, Deputy Chief Executive Officer & Head of Global
Transition Analysis, BloombergNEF
14:00
Innovation Forum: Decarbonizing the Construction and Operation of
Buildings
Come hear from early-stage companies aiming to revolutionize the
buildings sector. This innovation forum will feature leading companies
working on new kinds of heat pumps, new building materials, new building
designs, and platforms for accelerating the deployment of clean thermal
conditioning systems or demand-side innovations.
- Marshall Cox, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Kelvin
- Johnny Fry, Country Manager, Celsius Energy
- Amit Gupta, Chief Executive Officer, Aeroseal
Moderator:
- Stephanie Diaz, Associate, Technology and Innovation, BloombergNEF
14:30
Networking Coffee Break
Connect, network, and do business with fellow industry executives at the
BNEF Hub and in the networking area. You can
schedule 1-1 meetings via the BNEF Summit App.
15:00
BNEF Talk: Future-Proofing Battery Supply
Chains in North America
Governments the world over are acting to reduce risks across the
lithium-ion battery supply chain. This talk will take stock of their
efforts to date, and explore how North America can best unlock its
battery-making potential.
- Ellie Gomes-Callus, Associate, Metals and Mining, BloombergNEF
15:15
Leveraging Largest-Ever Grid Investment to Enhance Resilience
In October 2023, the utility industry received one of the largest
federal grants and financing amounting to $3.5 billion, with the
anticipation of a second funding cycle in 2024. The funding is part of a
broader effort of permitting reforms and grid enhancements to boost
resilience and accelerate the integration of renewables across the US.
Meanwhile, Independent System Operators across the US are now advancing
billions in transmission projects, showing a shift to a more proactive
approach. Are we achieving the desired level of progress? What can we
anticipate post-2024 if funding decreases or is removed? How can we
deploy funding effectively and which technologies can expedite progress
toward achieving net zero in the US?
Moderator:
- Felicia Aminoff, Associate, Grids and Utilities, BloombergNEF
Panelists:
- Richard Dewey, President & Chief Executive Officer,
NYISO
- Angelina Galiteva, Chair, Board of Governors,
CAISO
- Rohan Kelkar, Executive Vice President, Global Power Products,
Schneider Electric
- Maria Robinson, Director, Grid Deployment Office, Department of Energy
15:55
New Paradigm for Offshore Wind Projects
The US offshore wind industry is grappling with challenges such as
increasing capital costs, inflation, supply-chain constraints and
uncertain tax credits, leading to project setbacks and cancellations.
Despite the challenges, projects are still being initiated, and
developers are contemplating project recalibration, bringing in a new
paradigm for the industry. What lies ahead for offshore wind in the US?
How does the US offshore wind market distinguish itself from other
global regions? Is this a unique scenario for the US offshore market and
where can opportunities be identified to expedite market growth?
Moderator:
- Atin Jain, Senior Associate, Wind, BloombergNEF
Panelists:
- Morten Dyrholm, Global Senior Vice President, Vestas Wind Systems
- David Hardy, Group Executive Vice President & Chief Executive Officer,
Americas Region, Ørsted
- Doreen Harris, President & Chief Executive Officer, New York State
Energy Research and Development Authority
16:25
Closing Day 1
- Dana Perkins, Host, Bloomberg Switched On Podcast, Summit Anchor,
BloombergNEF
16:30
Networking Coffee Break
Connect, network, and do business with fellow industry executives at the
BNEF Hub and in the networking area. You can
schedule 1-1 meetings via the BNEF Summit App.
17:00
Deep-Dive Sessions – Choose Your Track
17:00
Barclay Salon 1
Track 1: Power
Optimizing Revenue for Renewable Energy Projects
Power price cannibalization and curtailment are increasingly common for
onshore renewable energy projects in key US markets like Caiso, Ercot
and MISO. The impacts are already evident in
major US markets where renewable energy penetration levels exceed system
demand on a more frequent basis. On top of this, rising renewables is
leading to more curtailment both for economic reasons and due to system
congestion. How are developers rethinking the revenue streams for their
projects in this changing environment? What role do power purchase
agreements play in a market with more-frequent negative power prices?
What do future natural gas prices mean for the viability of these
projects and how does exposure to specific power nodes affect site
selection or asset value? How do these various factors around revenue
impact equity owners in a higher-interest rate environment?
Moderator:
- Pol Lezcano, Senior Associate, Solar, BloombergNEF
Panelists:
- Egbert De Groot, Senior Vice President, Mergers and Acquisition and
Offtake origination, Boralex
- Nuno Dias Andrade, Managing Director and ​Head of Global Debt
Finance US​, Santander Bank N.A.
- John Larkey, Vice President of Power Marketing, National Grid
- Stephen Pike, Head of Enel Green Power North America, Enel Green Power
North America
Presenter:
- Javier Rico, Solar Associate, BloombergNEF
17:00
Barclay Salon 2
Track 2: Finance
Challenges and Opportunities in Sustainable Finance Under a Polarized
Landscape
Sustainable finance markets have been cannon fodder in a supercharged
political and economic environment, both in the US and globally.
Sustainable debt levels have stalled due to high interest rates and
companies ducking greenwashing accusations. Some 18 states have passed
“anti-ESG” laws across the US, limiting the sustainable investing remit
of asset managers and pension funds. What does 2024 – an election year
across many parts of the world and an expected period of economic
stabilization – hold for the future of sustainable finance markets?
Moderator:
- Jameson McLennan, Sustainable Finance Analyst, BloombergNEF
Panelists:
- Chris Ailman, Chief Investment Officer, CalSTRS
- Steven Rothstein, Founding Managing Director, Ceres Accelerator for
Sustainable Capital Markets
- Valerie Smith, Managing Director and Chief Sustainability Officer,
Citi
17:00
Morgan
Track 3: Technologies
Long-Duration Energy Storage: Is it Now or Never?
In 2023, the US led in long-duration energy storage (LDES) installations
with 38% of global energy storage capacity, but slow project development
and China’s growing dominance in the project pipeline may soon leave the
US’s leadership behind. Lithium-ion batteries connected to the grid will
soon surpass pumped hydro storage in the US, raising questions about
whether there is space for other technologies to flourish. Considering
lithium-ion battery’s consolidation and supply chain dominance,
especially for durations up to 12 hours, will alternative technologies
become irrelevant? These technologies need to scale with realistic cost
and growth targets that are able to keep them afloat and able to compete
with lithium-ion batteries within this decade. This session will discuss
how that may be achieved and what technologies are suitable beyond 12
hours. And can the US lead in LDES?
Moderator:
- Yiyi Zhou, Clean Power Specialist, BloombergNEF
Panelists:
- Kate Howling, Senior Consultant, Department of Energy Loan Programs
Office
- Gabe Murtaugh, Director of Markets and Technology,
LDES Council
- Roxanne Tully, Principal, Piva Capital
- Curtis Vanwalleghem, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Hydrostor
18:00
Networking Reception
Connect, network, and do business with fellow industry executives at the
BNEF Hub and in the networking area. You can
schedule 1-1 meetings via the BNEF Summit App.
BloombergNEF
New York
04/16/2024 at 07:45AM